NL West

Baseball Perspectives

Chris Welsh

Thursday, June 24, 2010 | 5-6:30 PM

Reds Hall of Fame Theater

Native Cincinnatian Chris Welsh, enjoying his 18th season as a television analyst for the Cincinnati Reds, will be the featured speaker at the first installment of the Reds Hall of Fame's new "Baseball Perspectives" speaker series.

A graduate of Cincinnati's St. Xavier High School, Welsh enjoyed a five-year Major League pitching career that included pitching for his hometown team in 1986. He became a broadcaster for the Reds in 1993 and for the next 17 years teamed with George Grande to form the longest-running television announcing team in Reds history.

Mr. Welsh's experience as both a player and a broadcaster provide him with a unique perspective on the game. For this event, he will share his thoughts on both facets of his career and take questions from the audience.

Upcoming Speakers

Aug. 12: Legendary Reds Scout Gene Bennett

Aug. 26: Bob Quinn, GM of the 1990 World Champion Reds

Oct. 14: Former Red Ron Oester

Gene Bennett - In his 58th year with the Cincinnati Reds, Gene Bennett serves as senior special assistant to the general manager. Bennett began his scouting career in 1958 and was promoted to scouting supervisor in 1975. Bennett's notable signings include Don Gullett, Barry Larkin, Chris Sabo, Jeff Russell, Charlie Leibrandt and Paul O'Neill. He has received the TOPPS Scout of the Month Award 12 times, and in 1988, Bennett received the TOPPS All-Star Scout Award.

Bob Quinn - From 1989-1992, Bob Quinn served as general manager of the Cincinnati Reds. Quinn was instrumental in piecing together the key components of the team which brought a World Championship back to the City of Cincinnati. As general manager, Quinn was responsible for acquiring Billy Hatcher and Randy Myers, two players who contributed greatly to the wire-to-wire championship run in 1990. Following the '90 season, Quinn was named Major League executive of the year. Quinn also served as general manager for the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants.

Ron Oester - Selected in the ninth round of the 1974 MLB amateur draft by Cincinnati, Ron Oester played his entire 13-year career in a Reds uniform. Oester was famously known as one of the few major leaguers who did not wear batting gloves. In 1988, he was honored with the Hutch Award, given to a player who best exemplifies the fighting spirit and competitive desire of the late Fred Hutchinson, a longtime manager of the Reds. A top pinch hitter in the 1990 season, Oester hit .299 on the year and collected two hits during the postseason.